“What’s Going on in This Picture?” from The Learning Network by the New York Times

Are you looking for a source of interesting pictures for student writing or discussion prompts? Do you want to help learners practice their observation skills, build their vocabulary and back up their claims with evidence? “What’s Going on in This Picture?” from The Learning Network by the New York Times can help you do all this and more. 

Every Sunday evening NYT's The Learning Network publishes an intriguing picture without its caption for its “What’s Going on in This Picture?” feature along with the same three questions:

1. What’s going on in this picture?
2. What do you see that makes you say that?
3. What more can you find? 

Classes can optionally contribute to a live online discussion around the questions through the week until “The Reveal,” when the caption and backstory of the picture are published on Thursdays. Archives of the pictures with their captions further down the page are available on the website. 

Watch this two-minute video, read How to Teach with “What’s Going on in This Picture?” and look through sample pictures to learn more. 

For questions or comments on this Tutor Tip contact Tutor Training Coordinator Meghan Boyle at mboyle@literacymn.org.